Chapter 2 - The Three Mariás Summary

Esteban Trueba's father has died, leaving him with a solid name in society but devoid of monetary means. Esteban's sister, Férula, is a spinster who is unable to find happiness outside of misery and servitude. She has spent her life taking care of Doña Ester Trueba who is an invalid. Ester appears to suffer from a wasting disease and toward the end of her life is described, more or less, as festering away within her own skin. After the death of Rosa the Beautiful, Trueba determines that he will no longer work the gold mines. It is too difficult, too dangerous. And freed of the immediate need of a gigantic dowry, he finds no need to take the risks associated with mining. He returns home to the city for a brief...